Shopping the Antiquibles Antique Mall

Happy Friday!!!  What better thing to share today...a shopping trip!!!  I went with friends this last week to one of my favorite shopping places  *drum roll here*   

A portion of an antique store is devoted to Barbara and David Hays' 7,000+ dog-related collectibles, accumulated since 1967.

Address:

94300 I-35 N, Waco, TX

Directions:

4 mi. north of Waco, I-35 Exit 345 east side of Frontage Rd in Antiques Mall in the back.

Admission:

Free.

Hours:

Daily 10 am -6 pm. Closed Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving. (Call to verify)

Phone:

254-829-0120

And now, I will let the pictures speak for themselves!  Needless to say, we spent quite a while here.  It is a great day trip from Dallas area.  Be sure to wear comfy shoes, and it does get warm in there with all the walking and shopping.  They are great about coming and emptying your arms while you shop though, and that is awesome!  So, without further ado...

Did you have fun seeing all this??  And it isn't even a drop in the bucket of everything there!!  Want another idea of how BIG this place really is...

Yep!!!  I had fun!!!!  When you go, be sure to tell them that Pam with the blog sent you!  Have fun and feel free to leave comments below!  See ya in a couple of weeks!

Chandelier turned Bird Feeder

This has got to be one of my all time favorites!!!  Somewhere out there, I saw a white chandelier that had been made into a bird feeder.  Wish I could remember where, it was very pretty and looked quite elegant!!

You all know how I love a great deal and am very frugal.  Well, I am training the husband on what to look for also!  He is the BEST!!!  We drove into our neighborhood and he comments that there is a new garage sale sign up and that it is just down the street.  He knows better than to ask me if I want to go, he just takes me there!  lol.  He parks out front and gets out his reader while I walk around back, I don't feel rushed cause he is reading.  After about 15 minutes...I return with a huge black iron chandelier $3, a wire rack for a friend $1, and a floor globe that stands about 3 feet tall $2.  Lets just talk about the iron chandelier this time.  I should have taken a before picture, SHAME ON ME!!!  Now, I take pictures as soon as I bring something home!

I took it to my carpenter and he cut off all the top thingies (yes that is a word) where the lights were supposed to be screwed in.  After that, all the electrical stuff was removed.  I went to my thrifty places to find some custard bowl...I needed six.  Dollar General...strike one.  Dollar Tree...strike two.  Target is right there and usually higher, but what the heck...99cents each!!!!

Next, I go home and use E-6000 glue (from WalMart or craft store)  to glue the bowls into the cup area that is at the end of each arm.  Then, I went out back and hug it off the side of the porch and put in the birdseed.

My birds are used to the feeders out by the smaller trees, the question was would they come up to the house and use this one.  This thing is large and heavy, and it had to hang off the side of the porch.

There is a saying that "If you build it, they will come."  So, be sure to post a comment and let me know what you think.  See ya later!

My Vacation Finds

Well, I said that I was just going to post some photos of the deals we got as we were out and about last week doing some shopping during our vacation week.  We decided to not pay any motels and just put the money in the gas tank and drive.  What fun!!!  There were three mornings that my husband, the love of my life and bestest friend, just woke me up and said to dress comfy that we were headed out for the day.  We went all over the Dallas/Ft. Worth are, but a favorite is a building just this side of Waco (the big dog museum building).  Other places we visited were the McKinney Trade Days, Plano at the Antique Mall, and other assorted places that we stopped in at along the way.  

Fun time...photos!!!  These glasses were all bought as just clear glass, I just couldn't wait to start painting, so you get to see them finished.  They were a dollar each at our Dollar Tree, and yes...I could shop there two or three times a week!!  Oh, that one set is just begging to be painted, and they will be before this posts.  lol

The next group of pictures were from the McKinney Trade Days.  There is a really nice lady there that will let you haggle with her, and I really enjoy that.  When you step into a booth where the stuff is recycled and you are trying to reclaim it into something else that you can sell...don't ever pay face value unless it is a steal or you just really want it.  I went into her booth and waited til everyone left and then told her that I purchase, paint, and then re-sale it.  I went through and pointed out each item and then asked her to give me a packaged cash price.  The items came up to $20 and I got it for $14.  I helped her clear out some stuff and she helped with a lower price on the goods.  I was so glad that my dear husband was there to help carry it all.  Pictures are below.

This has some inky stuff on the bottom outside, and if I can't get it off...I will just use it as part of the background color.  Adds character!

This is actually a small sized pitcher, I am guessing about 7inches tall.  Really cute, and heavy glass.  I always try to stick with heavy glass as my things have to be able to travel well.

Just a round bowl thingy with a lid.  

There are two of these, and lids don't fit perfect.  The bottoms are a thinner glass than the tops.  I don't let that stop the purchase, the lids might be used for something else...or I may paint them as is.  

These next two items are from different thrift stores, there is no haggling on prices there.  Each of these were $5.99 each plus tax.   The first item is a little child's bench and I will distress it and then just paint some cute floral and ribbon on it, couple coats of sealer and it will be ready to sell.  The second item...I have not idea what it is or what it was used for or what I will paint on it.  PLEASE leave a comment on this post and give me your ideas!!!

My husband walked up when I was debating the price tag, I like to keep it cheap so that I can re-sale at a great price for my customers.  I am very frugal!!  Anyway, he looks up and says, "what are waiting for, you want me to carry it for you?"  So, I told him..."sure".

This thing is in mint condition!  The ping pong balls are there to give you an idea of the size.  There are very small ball feet on the bottom, also made of the metal.  Ideas??

Last, are a couple of globes that I got for $5 each, again I was able to barter.  I have a painting project for these already.  They will be blue with santa and his reindeer flying around.  Not in a hurry to do these, I have a while before Christmas is here.  When they are finished they will most likely show up on my website at www.picturetrail.com/tinkartist  

I love to shop like this, could be a professional shopper if someone wanted to pay me to do it!!  I can spot a deal as soon as I walk into a booth at a flee market.  I don't always feel like I have to purchase if I don't get the price I want.  I have actually walked out of places empty handed.  

Well, I hope that you have enjoyed shopping with me.  I am going to Arlington to paint with Ros Stallcup on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Then, on Sunday in Dallas there is a 18th Annual Kosher Chili Cook-Off that I will have a booth at.  The next few days are gonna be kinda busy for me, so next week...I think I might just have to catch you up on the Kosher Chili Cook-Off.  http://www.kosherchilicookoff.us/   I have never done a show there before and it could be interesting.  IF you are in the area, stop by and say hello!

Almost forgot this one!  Got two sets of these at a local Ross, on clearance for less than $4 a set!!!

Ok, now I am finished!!!  Back to my painting.